WYSIWYG NEWS - 22 February
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news at wysiwygnews.com
Thu Feb 22 14:38:22 NZDT 2007
Subject: 22 February, 2007
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
Apologies. I got the whole thing ready last week and then
forgot to hit the "send" button. Then I was just late this
week.
And suddenly, it's summer. Most of the last two weeks here in
Wellington have been characterised by clear skies, little or
no wind, and pleasantly warm temperatures. The long hot summer
that was promised by the early blooming, but now bare
pohutukawa trees may consist of a week or so in February. I
feel cheated!
Last weekend, Mary and I went to Hastings & Havelock North
where my brother-in-law Paul and his fiancée Robyne got
married. We had to book early because the wedding conflicted
with Art Deco weekend in Napier. A pleasant motel on
Heretaunga Street kept us away from the traffic of the main
road, and we were very comfortable. On the morning of the
wedding (which was to start at 4 pm), I was idling around the
courtyard when I heard what sounded like a swarm of killer
bees. Suddenly the RNZAF's aerobatic team snarled overhead in
their pretty little Airtainers, and made a fairly gentle sweep
over Hastings, no doubt lining up for more spectacular efforts
over Napier. A deeper growl later in the morning heralded a
flight of AT-6/SN-J/Harvards from the Warbirds Association.
Ten minutes after that, I heard the somnolent rumble of a pair
of Pratt & Whitney radials. "Aha!" I thought, "a DC-3 for
sure", so I ambled out to the courtyard again. Glory be, it
was not a DC-3, but a big beautiful PBY-5a Catalina, the first
I have ever seen in real life. It was never a fast aircraft,
and I was able to dash back inside, unzip my camera bag, swap
to the long lens, and be back outside with the camera turned
on in time to catch it as she idled overhead, swinging round
towards Napier again. Fantastic!
The wedding itself was held at the Craggy Range vineyards to
the East of Te Mata Peak. This ultra-modern winery is a
beautiful setting for such an occasion. It is set among its
vineyards, and is separated from the nearby road by a pretty
little lake. In the well lit main hall of the winery, the warm
glow of the huge wooden fermenting vats, contrasted with the
stainless steel fittings and the deep brown of the floor
tiles. Paul and Robyne had specified "casual" so the guests
added to the colour of the occasion. After a moving ceremony,
the happy couple were whisked off to distant parts of the
estate for photographs, while the rest of us adjourned to a
magnificent sun-bathed terrace adjacent to the lake, there to
be served some exotic canapés and samples of the winery's own
fine range of wines. Paul had suggested that we leave our cars
at the motel and use taxi-buses to get home. Since we are
abstemious (not to be confused with abstinent) and like to be
able to withdraw at a time of our own choosing, we took the
car anyway. My sampling of the winery's offerings was
therefore limited, but I enjoyed very much what I had (a
splendid Syrah). Craggy Range's restaurant did a superb job
and a very good time was had by all, culminating with
speeches, music and dancing.
The next morning we set out for Wellington, once more. I have
to say that the early morning is by far the best time to
appreciate the magnificence of the East Coast landscape. The
rolling hills are for the most part, a golden brown - or
perhaps straw coloured is a better description. The textures
of the land revealed in the low light of morning just catch me
in the throat. This is truly a blessed land. Some of the wide
valleys between Havelock North and Waipawa ought to be
captured by some of our artists. For some reason the land
between Waipukarau and Norsewood is considerably greener, but
beyond that and into the Wairarapa, sun-bleached gold is the
norm.
The new academic year approaches fast, and that days of quiet
corridors and empty spaces are almost at an end. Two more
weeks and a whole new batch of shining faces will join the
academic community, to be corrupted all to soon by the
cynicism of those who have played the game for a while.
----
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter,
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced
by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All
copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of
The Radio Network Limited.
This edition of the news is sponsored by long time reader, Joe
Mack in NC. Thanks Joe.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 5 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TREND TOWARDS REPUBLICANISM INCREASES
-------------------------------------
As political leaders converge on Waitangi, a poll is out
showing almost 40 percent of New Zealanders want the country
to become a republic. The poll, to be aired by TV3 tonight,
shows the trend towards a republic is increasing with only 48
percent of New Zealanders now supporting the status quo, with
the Queen as Head of State. Republican Movement President,
Lewis Holden, says Waitangi Day is a time for people to
reflect on where New Zealand is going as a nation. The
Republican Movement wants to see a democratically elected New
Zealander as the Head of State. It says that will not mean
changes to the Treaty, the flag or Commonwealth membership.
(The editorial slant in this article is interesting. I saw
exactly the same figures used on TV news to support the thesis
that there was little enthusiasm for republicanism in NZ. -
BH)
THREATENING INTERNET POST DELETED - THEN RE-POSTED
--------------------------------------------------
A battle of wills is underway in Cyberspace. Internet giant
Google has deleted a threatening post on the controversial
name and shame CYFSwatch website. However the website has
flouted internet protocol and re-posted the item. The deleted
item contained threats to social workers - with the writer
saying they would be "watching and waiting and never far
behind" Internet specialist, David Farrar, says Google was
right to delete it, and flouting Google's terms and conditions
may result in the website being shut down. Mr Farrar says,
although many are sympathetic to the grievances aired on the
blog site, there is a limit to what Google can accept.
(Internet protocols can usually be found on one of the many
RFC documents that guide good conduct on the Net. I would be
interested to know which of these has been flouted. What may
have been breached is the terms and conditions of Google's
hosting service. Given that Google operates from the land
where first amendment rights are strongly ingrained, I shall
be surprised if they act further. *update* - following a
death threat on the site against Sue Bradford, Google has
responded to a complaint and closed the site. - BH)
JOHN KEY BRINGS SPECIAL GUEST TO WAITANGI
-----------------------------------------
John Key has arrived in Waitangi with a special guest - ten-
year-old Aroha from Auckland's McGehan Close. National's
leader met Aroha during his weekend visit to the street he had
labelled at "dead end". He says Aroha was invited because her
family could not afford to take her to Waitangi. He says Aroha
was in the right place at the right time and this is an
experience she will never forget. Mr Key says it was a
spontaneous gesture and says Aroha is very excited about the
experience. He says he will be taking an interest in Aroha's
future. She wants to be a nurse. Dignitaries have now begun
arriving at Waitangi in preparation for tomorrow's
celebrations.
(Much partisan comment surrounds this. One commentator
suggested that the real test of Mr Key's sincerity would come
if the concern for Aroha is sustained in future years.
Otherwise her presence this time may be seen as exploitative.
- BH)
HUGE AIRBORNE SURVEY UNDERWAY
-----------------------------
The largest-ever airborne geophysical survey done in New
Zealand is underway in Otago. The initiative is being carried
out by Glass Earth Limited. A helicopter will fly over 22,000
square kilometres, while equipment on board probes the top 100
metres of the earth's crust looking for potential sources of
hardrock and alluvial gold. The survey began in mid-January
and is expected to take four months.
LABOUR STANDS BY PROMISE TO REPAY DEBT
--------------------------------------
Labour's President Mike Williams says the party is standing by
its promise to repay its election overspending, even though
there is still legal advice pending for New Zealand First on
whether it has to pay back its overspending. The Auditor
General says NZ First owes more than $160,000 and last October
party leader Winston Peters said he would seek legal advice on
the matter, although that has not yet arrived. Meanwhile, Mr
Williams has moved to clarify his party's position over its
own $800,000 election overspend, which he says will all be
paid back by the end of the financial year. Controversial
legislation passed through Parliament under urgency last year
validated what the Auditor General said was illegal
overspending. Meanwhile the Greens are upset at reports they
are encouraging New Zealand First to mount a legal challenge
over the election overspending row and that they are dragging
their heels on repayment in the hope that any challenge will
help them get out of repaying their debt. Co-leader Jeanette
Fitzsimons says that is totally untrue. She says the Greens do
not know whether Winston Peters will bring a legal case so the
only decision they have at the moment, is to pay the money
back. She says her party has raised almost all of the $87,000
it owes.
(Labour seems to have a talent for targeting its own feet.
Just this week, Dr Cullen floated the idea of a tax on fixed
rate mortgages as a possible tool for controlling the housing
component of inflation. Third term governments of either
stripe seem to fall easily into the "born to rule" way of
thinking. It rarely enhances their chances of a fourth term -
BH)
CALL FOR UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR WAITANGI
---------------------------------------------
Maori Party co-Leader Dr Pita Sharples is calling for unity
and understanding as New Zealand prepares to mark Waitangi Day
tomorrow. Dr Sharples wants people to approach the day
thinking about what the Treaty of Waitangi can be for the
country. He says it is the nation's founding document and also
one of the first immigration documents inviting people to come
and live here. Dr Sharples says it would be good if people
could take that as a foundation, apply it to all the races
living in the country and welcome them as New Zealanders.
QUAKE SHAKES CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
---------------------------------
Taupo and Hawke's Bay residents would have felt the earth move
this morning. An earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale was
recorded at 8.15am. It was located 40 kilometres east of
Turangi, at a depth of about 60 kilometres.
(Heh! There was a small tremor in Auckland last evening ... a
mere 4.5 on the Richter scale. Squawks of alarm in the north!
Their last one was in the 1970s. - BH)
MORE MEN SEEKING HELP FROM LIFELINE
-----------------------------------
Record numbers of men are calling Lifeline for help. The
confidential free counselling service has fielded a 53 percent
increase in calls for the 2006 year. Director of Counselling
Rita Inch says slightly more than 50 percent of calls related
to communication in relationships. Calls about relationship
break ups rose two percent but calls relating to addictions
and threatened suicide decreased. There has also been a huge
jump in the number of calls relating to financial problems.
While women are the dominant callers to Lifeline, there has
been a marked increase in the number of men seeking help.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CALL FOR TREATY COMMISSIONER
----------------------------
The Maori Party is calling on the government to introduce a
Treaty Commissioner. MP Hone Harawira has used his Waitangi
speech to call for a commissioner, similar to that of the
Children's Commissioner. He says he wants somebody who can act
neutrally and is above all the politics. Mr Harawira says
everybody's views should be openly presented, but somebody
needs to lead that discussion independently. He says the
person does not have to be Maori, but suggested Justice Eddie
Durie might be a good choice.
MAORI PARTY WANTS WAITANGI DAY
------------------------------
To a packed church service, battered by wind and rain, Maori
Party MP Hone Harawira has issued an impassioned plea for
Waitangi Day to be kept as New Zealand's national day. His
comments come as United Future leader Peter Dunne calls for a
separate national day, to recognise cultures other than Maori.
Mr Harawira told a congregation of over 200, and more
listening on TV and radio, now is the time to affirm Waitangi
Day's status. He spoke of the peace and lack of protest of the
past few years, and how it showed New Zealand is finally
coming together and moving forward. His speech will no doubt
please many who had been expecting some form of political
debate or protest. The formal part of today's events is due to
end shortly with a 21-gun naval salute.
(Imagine, if you will, trying to rename 4th of July as America
day, to separate the celebration from the founding document.
It was tried once before under the Bolger government if memory
serves. I don't think that experiment achieved anything. - BH)
CLARK SAYS POSITIVE MOVEMENTS IN MAORIDOM
-----------------------------------------
Prime Minister Helen Clark claims a peaceful and relaxed
atmosphere at Waitangi is thanks to the momentum of Maori
economic and social development. There were only a few minor
interruptions during this morning's dawn service at the Upper
Marae in the Far North. The protestors said their piece and
then left. Despite the disruptions, Miss Clark says it is
wonderful to see so much positive movement in Maoridom. She
says unemployment has fallen by more than half, incomes are up
and there is a sense of pride in education, so things are
bound to feel better. Miss Clark says the issues the
Government now faces include getting people to improve their
skills and achieve higher levels of education. She says much
work is being done to settle Treaty of Waitangi claims and
there is still more to do. "Quite a lot of iwi negotiate
directly with the Crown, but we've all got to put our shoulder
to the wheel to move through this chapter of our history. I
think that across the country you can see that those that have
settled have also had mana restored, which is very important,
but they are participating as significant stakeholders in
their local communities and regions. The social and economic
benefits of that are profound. So, this is a process our
country has to move a bit faster on." Miss Clark says a lot of
settlements have been completed in the past seven years and
there are another 20 groups actively engaged with the Office
of Treaty Settlements.
MORE MONEY IN PAY PACKETS
-------------------------
People working in the finance, insurance and health sectors
have fatter pay packets according to the latest Labour Cost
Index. The figures for the last three months of last year show
incomes are continuing to grow, wages and salaries rising by
3.2 percent rise salaries. Statistics New Zealand spokesman
Chris Pike says staff who have had a pay rise in the past year
received an average of 5.5 percent. He says the main reason
was matching market rates and the settlement of some
collective employment agreements. Finance and insurance
workers recorded a 5.9 percent increase. The 5.3 percent for
health and community service workers was also substantial.
Average hourly earnings reached $22.40 an hour in the December
quarter, 4.9 percent more than a year ago. The Labour Cost
Index is the Reserve's bank preferred way of measuring wage
inflation. Governor Alan Bollard has warned interest rates may
rise at the next official cash rate review if inflation is not
kept in check.
Monday, 12 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MEDLAB VS AUCKLAND DHB IN COURT
-------------------------------
Diagnostic MedLab has cast doubt on Lab Tests Auckland's
ability to serve the community properly. DML wants the High
Court to set aside the awarding of the region's laboratory
contract to the newcomer. It argues there is no radical new
way of doing pathology at a significantly reduced cost.
Counsel Jack Hodder says cutting staff and collection rooms
and shifting the burden onto GPs can not be done without
reducing the quality of the service. He says around 35
thousand tests need to be done every day in Auckland and he
suggests under the new contract, patient health and safety has
taken a back seat to costings. Mr Hodder says under Lab Tests
there will be nearly 40 fewer collection rooms, 160 staff will
lose their jobs and services would be reduced by 36 percent.
Mr Hodder claims the three district health boards serving
Auckland acted outside their legal powers last year, when they
reassigned the contract. The hearing is expected to last two
weeks.
KEY PUSHES PLAN TO FEED STUDENTS
--------------------------------
John Key is pushing on with National's Food In Schools
programme. He has met with the KidsCan organisation in a bid
to expand the scheme. He says KidsCan is currently working
with 61 schools and National wants to continue working with
organisations like this. But he says National will now be
putting business donors in contact with established not-for-
profit providers after Labour Ministers attacked Food in
Schools as "Tory charity". Mr Key is pledging to keep any
direct requests for assistance from schools confidential.
MAYORS ATTACK GOVT OVER LEAKY HOMES
-----------------------------------
Three Auckland mayors are calling on the government to front
up over the leaky building fiasco. The Waitakere, Auckland and
North Shore mayors have met today to discuss the case of West
Auckland woman Colleen Dicks. The council's insurers are
appealing a court ruling that would make the Waitakere City
Council responsible for the 250 thousand dollars of damage to
her leaky home. Mayor Bob Harvey says it is unacceptable that,
despite the government's resolution process, councils are
being legally required to pick up repair bills. He says it is
time for the government to face up to its responsibilities. Ms
Dick's daughter is outraged that the case is now heading to
the Court of Appeal. Sandra Dyer says although Mayor Bob
Harvey sympathises with her cause, somebody needs to put their
hand up and shoulder some responsibility. She says as much as
it is about her mother, it is also about the other 40-thousand
plus home-owners who have also been caught out.
(Interesting. Just a week or two ago, Bob Harvey promised no
appeals, and a sense of obligation to pay up and take it on
the chin. The insurance company which is owned by the councils
has made its views clear, so a U-turn is in order. Sad. - BH)
DISAPPOINTMENT OVER MAORI EDUCATION STATS
-----------------------------------------
Dispiriting is how the Maori Party is describing a just
released report on Maori education. The Ministry of Education
report reveals over 50 percent of Maori males leave school
without achieving level one NCEA. Maori Party education
spokesman Te Ururoa Flavell says in 1960 reports were showing
a lack of equal educational achievement for Maori and this
latest research shows nothing has changed. He says there are
grave levels of injustice and disparities being perpetuated in
our education system.
FIVE SCHOOLS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR BREACHES
--------------------------------------------
A challenge is being issued to Education Minister Steve
Maharey to name the schools currently under investigation by
the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The NZQA is looking
into five schools for alleged breaches of NCEA regulations. It
follows the controversy about practices at Waverly High School
where the Authority has said it has no confidence in the
school's assessment of students. National Party Education
spokeswoman Katherine Rich says parents have the right to know
if their children's school is under investigation as the
credibility of their NCEA marks is being undermined. She says
Mr Maharey must identify the schools involved.
NINETY PERCENT OF SKILLED MIGRANTS SATISFIED
--------------------------------------------
Migrants from the United Kingdom are here for New Zealand's
clean, green image while Asian migrants rate our small
population. A new survey shows 90 percent of skilled migrants
are satisfied or very satisfied with living here. The poll
asked immigrants from more than 60 countries about aspects of
their life here, a year after they were granted residence.
Eighty-five percent say they are satisfied or very satisfied
with their child's school. Asian migrants like the education
system and educational opportunities more than other
immigrants. The negative aspects of New Zealand life include
the tax system, finding a GP and getting a driver's licence.
HOTELS AND MOTELS SEE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF GUESTS
--------------------------------------------------
Hotels and motels across the country saw a marked increase in
total guest nights in December compared with the previous
year. Latest figures from Statistics New Zealand shows guest
nights were up five percent in the North Island while short
term accommodation in the South Island rose four percent.
Caravan parks and camping grounds were the only types of
accommodation to record fewer guests nights in 2006 than in
2005.
(And of course the weather in that period was incompatible
with camping anyway - BH)
SOME COMFORT FOR RESERVE BANK
-----------------------------
The Reserve Bank should get some comfort from the latest
figures which show growth in house prices is the slowest in
two years. The new Quotable Values New Zealand report shows
the past 12 months have seen annual growth rate halved from
16.8 percent in January 2006. Business correspondent Roger
Kerr says the main slow down of house prices is seen in
Auckland central. The annual rate of increase fell from 6.7
percent in December 2006 to 4.5 percent in January 2007.
Wellington is an anomaly with house price increases, due to
growth of the government sector. Its annual rise in December
was 9.3 percent which increased to 9.7 percent in January. The
average house price nationwide is now $356,000. Mr Kerr says
the Reserve Bank will be watching the retail sales data for
December which is released this week. The bank has threatened
to raise the official cash rate if there were not signs of the
economy cooling.
SHEEP FARMERS NOT SPENDING
--------------------------
Federated Farmers claims sheep farmers are closing their
chequebooks due to lower farm gate returns for their produce.
Spokesman Keith Kelly says most sheep farmers are not making a
profit at the moment, so are not spending until returns
improve. He says that will seriously impact on rural
communities, especially in hill country areas, where many
businesses rely to a large extent on farmers' incomes. Mr
Kelly says returns are low mainly because of flat commodity
prices and a strong New Zealand dollar which is being propped
up by high interest rates. He is alarmed that the Reserve Bank
is considering putting up interest rates at its next review,
as data shows the dollar commodity price of meat, skins and
wool is at its lowest point in three years and nearly at a
seven-year low. Mr Kelly says the economy is becoming
seriously unstable when sheep farming, which is one of New
Zealand's largest export industries, is not profitable. He
believes the government has to create the right regulatory
environment for exporters, which, unlike domestic businesses,
cannot pass on compliance costs to customers. He says high-
cost areas for farmers include the Resource Management Act,
ACC and the Holidays Act.
FOSTER PARENTS SAY CASH BOOST NOT ENOUGH
----------------------------------------
Caregivers are not impressed with the Government's
announcement that they will get more cash from April. Those on
Unsupported Child's Benefit, the Orphan's Benefit or the
Foster Care Allowance will receive an extra $10 per child a
week. Richard Keyworth from Auckland has six foster children
and says the rise is minimal. He says the allowance is given
to cover reasonable costs but not all, and anything extra for
the children comes from his own pocket. Mr Keyworth says every
time caregivers get close to getting the increase they need,
it is always scuppered at the last minute.
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NO DECISION ON NZF ELECTION OVERSPEND
-------------------------------------
The New Zealand First MPs have discussed the legal advice they
have received over the 160 thousand dollars worth of
inappropriate spending the party made at the last election. No
decision has been made, with the caucus to be briefed by
lawyers in the next few weeks. It is four months since the
Auditor General released his findings and deputy leader Peter
Brown says they are following a proper process. He says they
are not delaying but want to make a decision with all the
facts in front of them.
BIOFUELS TARGETS BY 2012
------------------------
The Government is setting targets for the adoption of
biofuels. In her state-of-the-nation address to Parliament,
Miss Clark declared New Zealand will have a bio-fuel target of
3.4 percent of the content of total annual petrol and diesel
sales by 2012. She says it is time to implement such an
obligation and she hopes this initial target will encourage
the uptake of biodiesel and the development of infrastructure
for ethanol distribution. Miss Clark says New Zealand's future
is dependent on long-term sustainable strategies for our
economy, society, environment, culture and way of life and she
says complacency will not do. She says the government's VIP
car fleet will be replaced with vehicles which are more fuel
efficient and government departments and ministries will also
have to pull their weight. She says by early next year, the
Ministries for the Environment, Health and Economic
Development, the departments of Inland Revenue and
Conservation, and Treasury will have reduced their carbon
footprint significantly. The Prime Minister says two decades
ago, it was the threat of nuclear war destroying the world as
we knew it, which galvanised New Zealand to become nuclear
free and to work for a more peaceful world. She told MPs that
now New Zealand will lead the world on environmental
sustainability. National leader John Key has attacked the
speech as a collection of slogans. He says Labour's days are
clearly numbered and while her speech may not have convinced
many New Zealanders about climate change, it almost certainly
would have convinced them it is time for a change. Meanwhile,
an international expert is outraged at the bio-fuels target
that has been set. Ray Kearney from the Department of
Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Sydney University is
appalled. He says it is equivalent to telling a smoker who
smokes 100 cigarettes a day to cut back to 97. Dr Kearney says
the target does not provide New Zealand with energy security
and should be more like 12 percent. He is also convinced the
government has been influenced by the oil companies and
believes the announcement should stir the community to respond
at the ballot box at the next election.
GREENS DEMAND TRANS-FAT LABELLING
---------------------------------
The Greens want labelling for food that contain trans-fats.
Currently the Food Safety Authority is looking at ways the
health impacts of trans-fats can be mitigated. Green MP Sue
Kedgley says consumers have an absolute right to know if
trans-fats are in foods they are about to buy, so they can
avoid them if they wish. She says manufacturers should be
required to switch to less harmful alternatives and in the
meantime label the mount of trans-fats in their products.
EXPERT SAYS FOSSIL FUELS ARE HARMFUL
------------------------------------
An international expert is concerned the health of New
Zealanders is being put at risk because of the high use of
fossil fuels. Warehouse founder Steven Tindall invited Dr Ray
Kearney, associate professor in the department of Infectious
Diseases and Immunology at the University of Sydney, to
explain why New Zealand needs to turn to bio fuel. Dr Kearney
says the way New Zealand measures air pollution only accounts
for larger air particles, but he says it is the finer
particles that are harmful and contribute to diseases such as
cancer and asthma. He says in order to reduce these we need to
start using bio fuels such as ethanol blend E 10. This comes
on a day when the Prime Minister is set to announce
regulations for bio fuel use here and Dr Kearney says anything
less than E 10 is a cop out.
GREENS DEMAND WELLINGTON SCHOOL STOPS SMACKS
--------------------------------------------
The Greens are demanding action over a Wellington school that
uses corporal punishment. Wainuiomata Christian College is
continuing the practice, in breach of the law, with the
approval of students' parents. Green MP Sue Bradford says she
wrote to the Education Minister about the issue six months ago
but nothing has happened. She says parental approval does not
make the situation right. Ms Bradford says the law banning
corporal punishment exists to protect children and school is
supposed to be a safe place where children are able to learn,
free from the threat of violence.
(Given that it is illegal, I would have expected the police to
be pushing this, not the Greens - BH)
PROTESTORS TO CAMP IN BLAST ZONE
--------------------------------
Anti-mining protestors are threatening to camp inside a
blasting zone on Mt Augustus, north of Westport, despite the
area being officially closed off to the public. Save Happy
Valley protestors have occupied a site near Solid Energy's
Cypress opencast mine for more than a year in a bid to save an
endangered West Coast snail and in the last week they have
upped the ante by setting up camp near the company's Stockton
mine. This follows the Department of Conservation decision to
close off a two-hundred metre strip of land next to the Mount
Augustus ridgeline to allow Solid Energy to carry out
controlled blasting at the mine. Protestor Francis Mountier
says she is disgusted by DOC's shameful action. She says the
department is supposed to protect endangered species, not help
mining companies to send them into extinction. The protestors
believe if the mine is built, many native species including
the great spotted kiwi, will be killed off.
(And now that they are in the blast zone, they are complaining
that the company is risking their lives. Candidates for a
Darwin award in my view. - BH)
MAORI EDUCATION NEEDS A REVAMP
------------------------------
The Maori Party wants a new approach to tackle educational
problems besetting Maori students. It follows the release of
an official report which reveals 53 percent of Maori boys left
school in 2005, without achieving level one NCEA. The Maori
Party believes that is evidence of a biased and unjust system.
Te Ururoa Flavell, the Maori Party's education spokesman, says
the Government has no answers for the long running problem. He
suggests it is time the resource is given over to Maori as
they have a vested interest in getting it right. He says Maori
should be allowed to get on with initiatives that have proven
results. Meanwhile the Government says there are already
programmes in place in schools to help get better outcomes for
Maori - and Maori education statistics are improving.
MORE SCHOOLS WANT FOOD FOR HUNGRY PUPILS
----------------------------------------
The ongoing debate over feeding school children may have had
one positive outcome. The charity Kidscan says it has been
contacted by at least another 50 schools requesting help. At
the moment, it helps around 30 schools with food and free
raincoats. General manager Julie Helson says the schools which
have come forward do not want the glare of the publicity that
surrounded Wesley Primary School. Wesley Primary School hit
the headlines when National Party leader John Key said he had
brokered a deal with cereal company Tasti Products to provide
food for hungry pupils. The school later said it did not need
the free food programme. Kidscan will need an estimated
$500,000 to extend the free food programme.
UNION DOUBTS STAGECOACH'S CLAIM
-------------------------------
The Tramways Union claims Wellington's bus services are in
chaos and it cannot see how Stagecoach can meet its promise to
fix the problems by next week. The bus company has been forced
to cancel several services at short notice because of a
shortage of drivers. The problem has led to long delays for
passengers as buses failed to turn up or did not stop because
they were full. Stagecoach expects to resume normal services
by Monday, but Phil Griffiths from the Tramways Union does not
believe that is possible. He says the problem has been caused
by a change brought in two weeks ago limiting drivers to eight
hour shifts when many usually work overtime.
GAYS LEAVING THE CHURCH IN DROVES
---------------------------------
A researcher at Massey University has found that gay, lesbian
and bisexual people are turning away from the church at nearly
two and half times the rate of the general population. Mark
Henrickson says that by and large Christian religions have
done well in communicating that homosexuality and Christianity
do not go hand in hand and if their goal is to purge the
churches of anyone who is not mainstream, then the message is
coming through loud and clear. However Dr Henrickson warns
that if the plan is to fill pews, churches may need to take a
second look at how they are coming across. He says a high
number of respondents say their religion was more a problem
than a support to them.
BAN ON OLD BUSES WANTED
-----------------------
Tourism operators want an immediate import ban on used buses
that are past their best, following the crash at the weekend
near Tokoroa in which several Korean tourists were injured.
The driver has been charged with careless driving causing
injury after his coach skidded on gravel, tipped and slid
across State Highway 1. The coach was 20-years-old and had
considerable mileage on the clock. Trevor Hall, CEO of Tourism
Holdings, claims that in many cases, old buses that are
imported into New Zealand have been banned in their home
countries because they have either been involved in accidents,
failed emission control standards or failed safety
regulations. He says they are damaging the country's tourism
reputation and believes no buses more than three-years-old
should be allowed to join the country's fleet. Mr Hall says
because there is no regulation on bus importation the
Government should take immediate action.
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NZ RANKS POORLY IN CHILD CARE STATS
-----------------------------------
A new international report into the treatment of children
ranks New Zealand poorly in several categories. In the first
such study of its kind, the United Nations Children's Fund -
UNICEF - looked at 40 indicators, to gauge the lives of
children in 21 developed countries. New Zealand came last from
all industrialised nations when it comes to the number of
children who die from accident and injury. 30 percent of New
Zealand women aged 15 to 19 have fallen pregnant, which is the
second highest teenage pregnancy rate of the countries studied
- behind only the US. And New Zealand consistently scored in
the bottom third of countries on a number of measures -
including immunisation, and spending time with our children.
The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Denmark were found to be
the most caring nations.
PHARMAC ACCUSED OF DECEIT
-------------------------
New Zealand First is accusing PHARMAC of misleading the public
over the cost of breast cancer drug Herceptin. Party Leader
Winston Peters is demanding answers from Health Minister Pete
Hodgson as to why PHARMAC was quoting the total cost of the
drug at 300 million dollars a year in 2005. He says it has
since revised the figure down to 30 million. He says people at
PHARMAC are prepared to lie to women suffering cancer, and to
the public, and it is time the Minister sacked them. Mr
Hodgson says he is not aware of anyone at PHARMAC quoting a
300 million dollar cost figure for Herceptin.
LEVY ON MORTGAGES NO-GO
-----------------------
Finance Michael Cullen has today buried the levy on fix term
mortgages, despite last week saying work on it was at a
preliminary stage. Dr Cullen was answering questions at a
Finance Select Committee hearing and says the idea came from
the Reserve Bank and Treasury. However he told National's Bill
English that it is no longer a goer because the opposition has
gone dog on it. Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister said
the idea was a dead duck because it would require the numbers
in Parliament to pass it and the Government has not got them.
("Gone dog"? Don't ask me, I have no idea what that means -
BH)
TOBACCO PRICE HIKE UNLIKELY
---------------------------
Parliament's Finance Select Committee has today been urged
recommend a hike the price of tobacco. However Finance Michael
Cullen says even though a price hike would see some people
quitting, it would be a brave Government that would agree to
the request. He says it would hit those who can least afford
it in the pocket. Dr Cullen says the sad thing about smoking,
other than its effect on health, is that it is hugely,
negatively related to social class. He says smokers usually
have lower incomes whilst the middle class have largely given
up.
PARTY PILLS AND BOOZE PUTS DJ IN COMA
-------------------------------------
An increase in party pill users ending up in the intensive
care unit in Christchurch hospital is worrying medical staff.
A doctor, who wants to remain anonymous, says patients are
often admitted to the Emergency Department in the weekend
suffering serious complications from using party pills or
herbal highs. He says he often deals with party-goers who have
mixed herbal highs with amphetamines and then injected
themselves with the potentially fatal concoction. This comes
as a Greymouth man is fighting for his life after combining
party pills and alcohol. Ben Rodden was DJ'ing at a dance
party in Greymouth in the early hours of Sunday morning when
he started shaking and sweating uncontrollably. His mother
Wendy says the 23-year-old had taken the party pill Torque to
stay awake all night. She says his mates saved his life by
pouring cold water on him before flagging down a passing
police car for help. He was rushed to Greymouth Hospital and
then flown to Christchurch where he remains on life support in
an induced coma. Ms Rodden says Ben had a dangerously high
temperature of 41.5 degrees and doctors are not ruling out the
possibility of permanent kidney, liver and brain damage.
AA GIVE BIO-FUEL TARGET THUMBS UP
---------------------------------
The Government's commitment to bio-fuel has been welcomed by
the AA. The Prime Minister has set the biofuel target at 3.4
percent of total fuel sold in New Zealand by 2012. Motoring
Affairs general manager Mike Noon says the Government will
first need to prove to Kiwi motorists that the new fuel is
safe and that it won't cost more than current fuels. He says
the age of our fleet will also have implications on how much
bio-fuel can actually be used. He says if import restrictions
are placed on non-complying motor-vehicles and as older cars
die-off then the fuel blend could increase. Mike Noon says
bio-fuel is growing in popularity around the world
particularly in Europe and in South America, Brazil operates
most of its fleet on ethanol.
OIL CO WORRIED ABOUT COST OF BIOFUEL
------------------------------------
Oil giant Chevron is concerned that biofuel may be too
expensive for motorists, if stocks are not available locally
to make the product. The Government has set the biofuel target
at 3.4 percent of total fuel sold in New Zealand by 2012.
Discussion documents on the issues looked at targets around
2.25 percent. Sharon Buckland, spokeswoman for Chevron which
the operates Caltex service stations, says the company needs
clarification of how biofuel will be sold, what it will
consist of and how it will be blended. She says if feed stocks
need to be imported, prices will be pushed up. Ms Buckland
believes oil companies will have to pass on the infrastructure
costs supplying the fuel to motorists. She says it is
important to set achievable targets but Chevron is also
concerned about creating a product that may be too expensive
for consumers.
WORLD'S MOST UNROMANTIC GIFT THE MOST PRACTICAL
-----------------------------------------------
Undergoing a vasectomy is not exactly the most romantic gift
for Valentine's Day, but Family Planning is throwing its
weight behind an Australian health campaign to promote the
procedure today. Non-profit organisation Marie Stopes
International is telling the Aussie male that getting the snip
is effective, safe and appreciated. It claims many women would
appreciate not having to worry about contraception. Jackie
Edmond, CEO of Family Planning says it would be nice for men
to shoulder some of the responsibility for contraception and a
vasectomy is a practical gift which provides equality in a
relationship. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of
vasectomies in the world with 18 percent of men undergoing the
operation.
NZ SUPPORTS DRUG LAW CHANGE
---------------------------
Drugs Free Sport New Zealand is offering some support to a
Dutch politician who is calling for the removal of
recreational drugs from the banned substances list. Dutch
health secretary Clemence Ross believes combating drugs such
as marijuana should be a job for government, not the World
Anti-Doping Agency. New Zealand anti-doping boss Graeme Steel
supports the idea, but says it is not as simple as just
removing the drugs from the banned list. Steel says a number
of other countries also like the idea although they still
believe those types of drugs are a problem for sport. Steel
says rather than a straight ban it would be better educating
the athletes who are not actually cheating but inhibiting
their performance, He believes that what WADA needs to do is
re-categorise recreational drugs so they are totally different
from performance enhancers. However, he says they still have
concerns over the use of recreational drugs by athletes and
removing them from the list is not encouraging the practice.
HIGH COST OF HOME BUILDING IN NZ
--------------------------------
The Commerce Commission has been asked to investigate the high
cost of building materials as a survey commissioned by the
Auckland City Council shows that the cost of building a small
house in Auckland is 85 percent higher than in Australian
cities. A large house is 91 percent more expensive to build
here than across the Tasman. The report states there has been
a 65 percent rise in the cost of building a house since 1999.
Chairman of the council's Economic Development and Sustainable
Business Development Committee, Richard Northey, says he has
been told that it is cheaper to import and construct kit set
homes from Brisbane than to build them from scratch in New
Zealand and wants the commission to investigate whether there
is evidence of monopolistic practices in the provision of
building materials in New Zealand. He also wants a government
inquiry into why the cost of building a house in Auckland is
so high. Mr Northey believes the cost of housing is preventing
people realising the kiwi dream of owning their own home. The
report compared the cost of labour, building materials and
contractors' overheads in both countries per square metre. It
shows that building costs in Auckland between July 1999 and
July 2006 rose 65 percent for a small home and 60 percent for
a large one. In the Auckland region, a house costs between
$1388 and $1601 per square metre.
Thursday, 15 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHITE ISLAND COULD BLOW
-----------------------
There could be a minor eruption on White Island in the Bay of
Plenty. Scientists have discovered the crater lake's
temperature has now hit 74 degrees which is its highest ever
recorded temperature. The lake level has also fallen six
metres and steam plumes are frequently being spotted above the
volcano.
EFFICIENCY FALL IN HEALTH SYSTEM
--------------------------------
Efficiency in the health system has fallen according to a
just-released Treasury report. The research has looked at the
value for money the country is receiving from District Health
Boards. It has found hospital expenditure in 2003/04 was more
than 13 percent higher than three years previously, while
hospital outputs rose by under five percent. The report says
on that basis hospital efficiency appears to have fallen by
almost eight percent over the period. It has also found 60
percent of expenditure rises have gone in staff costs with
nominal expenditure on doctors increasing by 30 percent.
HOUSING COST REPORT FIGURES WRONG
---------------------------------
The Auckland City Council has acknowledged errors in the
figures in a report into the high cost of housing in New
Zealand compared to some Australian cities. The initial report
said that housing costs in New Zealand for small and large
houses were on average 85% and 91%, respectively, higher than
in Australia. These figures have been corrected to 60% and
65%. The council says it regrets the error, but says the
amended figures still illustrate a marked difference between
the costs of building in New Zealand cities compared with
Australian cities. Richard Northey, chairman of the council's
Economic Development and Sustainable Business Development
Committee, has asked the Commerce Commission to investigate
whether New Zealand suffers from monopolistic practices in the
provision of building materials. He has also requested a
government inquiry into why the cost of building a house in
New Zealand is so high, saying the costs are preventing people
from realising the Kiwi dream of owing their own home.
POWER TO SI COULD BE IN DANGER
------------------------------
Meridian Energy is also calling for more investment in
electricity infrastructure in the South Island. Chief
Executive Dr Keith Turner has told Parliament's Commerce
Select Committee that there is growing pressure on South
Island lines, especially where the main grid is constrained
where it enters Christchurch. He says there have been a number
of initiatives to relieve those constraints but not with a
great deal of margin and he says we are pressing up against a
deadline to get major investment into South Island
transmission. Dr Turner has also come out swinging against
fees it has to pay for High Voltage Direct Current charges and
the maintenance of the Cook Strait power cable. He says the
regime penalises South Island generators and the development
of renewable energy sources. He says Meridian's HVDC charges
have risen by $24-million in one year, and that is an
extraordinary level of charge to be imposed on South Island
generators, when the link is running power south to keep South
Island customers secure.
DEAL BOOSTS KIWIBANK LOAN PORTFOLIO
-----------------------------------
Kiwibank will add 700-million dollars to its loan portfolio
following an agreement with HSBC. The government-owned bank is
to buy HSBC's AMP-originated residential mortgage book and
will manage the mortgages under the AMP brand. Kiwibank says
the transaction will expand Kiwibank's distribution reach and
assist AMP's re-entry into the New Zealand mortgage market. It
follows last year's acquisition of a 51 percent stake in New
Zealand Home Loans. Chief Executive Sam Knowles says the
transaction should see Kiwibank's residential mortgage
portfolio exceed 4-billion dollars for the first time. The
purchase is expected to be completed later this year.
GREENS REPAY 2005 ELECTION DEBT
-------------------------------
The Green Party has repaid its 2005 election debt. Co-Leader
Jeanette Fitzsimons has presented a cheque for just over 87
thousand dollars to Parliamentary Services covering the
inappropriate spending identified by the Auditor General last
year. She says while the Party still disagrees with the
Auditor General's reasoning and conclusions, at the end of the
day he is the referee and they must abide by his ruling. Ms
Fitzsimons say it is now important the spending rules are
clarified for the next election.
AUCKLANDERS DON'T WANT ROAD TOLLS
---------------------------------
Three quarters of Aucklanders do not support road tolls to
stop road congestion. A new Ministry of Transport study shows
that only 25-percent supported charging for the use of new
roads. Of the 800 submissions most were concerned with the
cost associated with the road toll pricing schemes. Larger
organisations are more supportive of road tolls - saying
Auckland roads needed to be less congested for the benefit of
New Zealanders. The Minister has asked the Ministry to
investigate another scheme to try to raise money for Auckland
transport needs.
(Who does want tolls? Aucklanders waged a long and bitter
campaign to abolish tolls on the harbour bridge. It seems the
pendulum is swinging - BH)
IMPORT FIGURES RUIN NATIONAL LAMB DAY
-------------------------------------
The Government may have decreed today National Lamb Day but
the Greens say there is not a lot to celebrate. Today is the
125th anniversary of the first frozen lamb shipment sent from
New Zealand to England. Green MP Sue Bradford says she is
flabbergasted to find we actually imported $120-million
dollars worth of meat products last year and that the cost of
imports has increased six-fold over the past 15 years. She
says it is crazy that New Zealand, which produces the best
meat in the world, is spending such a sum on meat imports.
MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES DOUBLE IN DECADE
------------------------------------
House prices have exactly doubled in the past ten years. The
Real Estate Institute's annual review of prices released today
shows the median price has gone from $165,000 dollars in 1997
to $330,000 in December last year. The biggest increases in
house prices for the last year were in the provincial cities,
with Wanganui, Invercargill, Rotorua and Palmerston North
leading the way. Wanganui's 22% increase means the median
there rose from $148,000 in December 2005 to $181,000 at the
end of last year. Invercargill's median price increased by
17.5%, from $139,000 in 2005 to $154,000 in 2006, while
Rotorua's median price was up from $214,000 to $249,000. Price
growth in the larger metropolitan areas tended to lag behind,
although North Shore City broke that trend - showing the
fourth largest increase with median house prices up to
$519,000 from $453,000 - a 14.4% increase. On a regional
basis, Taranaki houses experienced the greatest price
appreciation for the year, showing a 17.4% increase in median
values, up from $230,000 to $270,000.
NZ SCORES BADLY FOR CHILD INJURY AND DEATH
------------------------------------------
A UNICEF report shows New Zealand in a poor light when it
comes to the health, safety and well-being of children. New
Zealand is at the bottom of a table of 25 industrialised
countries in the child injury and death category. The
Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Denmark head the list as
caring nations. UNICEF's child advocacy manager David Kenkel
says New Zealand should be ashamed. He says there are
countries which are poorer in every single way, yet do
infinitely better than when it comes to caring for children.
He says it is not something which can be fixed overnight, but
it is about time steps were taken to resolve the problem.
UNICEF ranked Britain last for childhood quality of life among
industrialised nations, followed closely by the United States.
The United Nations Children's Fund examined 50 indicators to
gauge the lives of children.
DISTRIBUTION OF CANCER FUNDING QUESTIONED
-----------------------------------------
Questions are being raised about the way funding for cancer
research is being distributed. At least $100 million was
committed to cancer research in New Zealand between 2003 and
2005. A stocktake by the Cancer Control Council reveals nearly
80 percent of that amount was invested in research related to
the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Spokesman Professor
John Gavin says research into areas such as improving the
quality of life for people with the disease accounted for just
one percent of the funding. One percent was also allocated to
researching improved delivery of cancer services. Professor
Gavin believes there needs to be another look at how the
funding is distributed. The Cancer Control Council was set up
by the Ministry of Health and is an independent advisory body
to lead the implementation of the Council Control Strategy.
Friday, 16 February 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW PLAN UNVEILED TO REDUCE CAR TRIPS IN AUCKLAND
-------------------------------------------------
A new plan which aims to reduce car journeys in Auckland by
20-thousand trips within the next ten years has been unveiled
today. The Auckland Regional Transport Authority has released
its Sustainable Transport Plan for the city. It aims to change
people's behaviour when it comes to transport, encouraging the
use of public transport, car sharing and walking where
possible. The plan includes improvements to walking and
cycling networks, and the implementation of travel plans in
schools and workplaces.
DISCOUNT FOR DISRUPTED TRAVELLERS
---------------------------------
Stagecoach is again apologising to Wellingtonians for what it
admits has been a poor and unreliable bus service over the
past few weeks. It is blaming a shortage of drivers,
compounded by the flow-on effect of cancelled trips leading to
overcrowding on other services and even more delays. In an
effort to make amends, Stagecoach will be selling bus passes
at half price next month to all those people who had bus
passes this month.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES ON THE UP
------------------------------------
There has been a boom in residential property sales for the
start of 2007. Real Estate Institute figures show more than
7,500 properties were sold in January - a 19 percent increase
on those sold in the same period last year. The time it takes
to sell has remained the same, at 38 days. But sales for
January 2007 were actually down on December last year - the
most notable drop was seen in the top end properties. The
national median property price dropped from $330,000 in
December to $327,000 in January - but it is up by almost 10
percent on January last year. Southland is the fastest growing
region in the country, with the median house price showing a
25.55 percent increase - from $124,250 in January 2006 to
$156,000 this January. Of the 12 regions, six experienced
growth in their median house price, four had falls and two
were unchanged.
PHARMAC ACCUSED OF DELAYING TACTICS OVER HERCEPTIN
--------------------------------------------------
PHARMAC's plan to fund nine-week courses of Herceptin for
early stage breast cancer, has been labelled yet another
delaying tactic by the Breast Cancer Coalition. Last year the
government's drug management agency rejected calls for the
breast cancer drug to be funded. Now its clinical advisory
committee has recommended funding for a nine week course.
Deputy Medical Director Dr Dilky Rasiah, says further
information about the benefits of nine-week courses of
Herceptin have led to Pharmac's change of heart and if all
goes to plan, the drug will be available for early breast
cancer patients in June. But Coalition spokeswoman Libby
Burgess says New Zealand women will unknowingly receive a cut
price treatment - as overseas a 12-month-course is used.
PHARMAC is also committing $3.2 million to a new international
trial comparing the nine-week and 12-month Herceptin
treatments to see which is more beneficial. Herceptin is
currently funded only for the late stages of the disease.
REVAMP FOR ROAD CODE
--------------------
The road code has had a major makeover. It has been
streamlined so it can fit into a glove box or handbag and has
been split into two volumes - one is called "The official New
Zealand road code", the other is called the "Licence and study
guide" which contains licensing information and sample test
questions. Land Transport New Zealand hopes the changes will
encourage drivers to keep the Road Code on hand and refer to
it more frequently. The two volumes will be sold together in a
plastic wallet and will cost $24.90. They will be available in
bookstores this week. The heavy vehicle and motorcycle road
codes will also be updated and should be released later in the
year. "The Official New Zealand road code" was first released
as a slim pamphlet in 1937.
$7.5 MILLION FOR CAREER GUIDANCE
--------------------------------
Career guidance work in secondary schools is about to get a
cash injection. The Government is to pump over $7.5 million
dollars into the area over the next two years. Education
Minister Steve Maharey says the funding for career education
will help ease the transition for students from school to
employment. He says it will help improve the provision of
career information, advice, and guidance within schools.
PETROL PRICE WAR IN AUCKLAND
----------------------------
A petrol price war is underway in Auckland. Shell has dropped
its pump prices by three cents a litre. A spokeswoman says it
is in response to an earlier three cent cut by rival Gull.
BUSINESSES COMBAT BILLBOARD BAN
-------------------------------
More than 20 Auckland business organisations have joined
forces to prepare a combined submission opposing the city
council's attempt to pass new billboard and signage bylaws.
The bylaws would ban all freestanding billboards in the CBD,
with no billboards allowed in Queen Street, there are also
strict limitations on signs for individual businesses.
Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett says many
businesses are set to lose thousands of dollars, particularly
with the signage changes. He says the group will provide
specific examples and consequences for different areas of the
city. Yesterday, the council confirmed it was looking at
bringing an independent commissioner in to hear submissions.
Councillor Glenda Fryer who supports the proposal and will
chair the hearings panel later in the year, believes it would
be helpful to have someone outside the political domain on the
panel. She says that way the public will be assured the
commissioners are hearing submissions with an open mind.
NEW LIGHT ON PARTY PILL PROBLEMS
--------------------------------
New research out today shines a different light on the
hysteria surrounding party pills. The government is looking at
whether it needs to ban the BZP-based herbal highs. Findings
in the latest New Zealand Medical Journal show party pills
have had little impact on overdose admissions at Auckland City
Hospital's emergency department. The study of the 2002-2004
database shows an increase in the number of party pill users
requiring emergency care, from one in 2002 to 21 in 2004. But
party-pill users only made up 1.58% of total overdose
admissions in 2004. Researchers say the data fails to support
arguments that ecstasy and amphetamine are being substituted
by party pills, in the years studied.
PARENTS TOLD TO STEP UP TO STOP GANGS
-------------------------------------
Wellington Police are calling on the families of teenagers
being enticed into crime by local gangs to take more
responsibility for their children. Three Wellington teens have
appeared in the youth court this week facing charges relating
to what police describe as two serious assaults. The victim of
one attack - allegedly committed by two boys aged 15 and 16 -
suffered a fractured skull. Detective Sergeant John van den
Heuvel says parents need to ensure they give teenagers
boundaries, and ensure they are adhered to. He says support
from family and community can often mean the difference
between whether youths go on to become full-blown criminals.
Police believe adult members of a local gang called the Full-
Blooded Islanders are recruiting youngsters from Wellington
schools, and encouraging them to random acts of violence.
BUSINESSES WANT COMMON CURRENCY
-------------------------------
A majority of New Zealand businesses believes the time has
come for a common currency with Australia. The latest Grant
Thornton International Business Report has found 60 percent of
businesses questioned, think it is time to merge the dollars.
Almost 40 percent of respondents want it done by the year
2010. Report spokesman Peter Sherwin says there would be quite
a saving for exporters under a common currency as they would
not have to pay fluctuating hedge costs which are currently
taking a chunk out of their business. He says the findings
should give impetus to more commonality between the business
world of both countries.
SCIENTISTS EXCITED ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH
---------------------------------------------
Auckland scientists have potentially found a way towards new
treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and
Huntington's. Researchers from the Auckland University and
their colleagues in Sweden have discovered that new cells
travel along a path in the brain to other sites. Professor
Richard Faull says while the migration of brain cells in
mammals has been known for years, it has never been found in
humans. He says scientists now want to find a way to redirect
the path of new cells to areas where cells are damaged or have
died due to neurological diseases. Professor Faull believes
the research will change the way we look at diseases in which
brain cells die.
ISPS NEED STANDARDS SAYS ENTREPRENEUR
-------------------------------------
Hundreds of New Zealand businesses left without a working
website due to hacking is being seen as a sign that internet
service providers need to modernise their operations and adopt
a set of industry standards. At least 38,000 websites have
been hit by the same cyber vandal who left Turkish flags in
his wake last year. Ihug admits some 90 of its customers have
been affected. Internet entrepreneur Jenny Hannah says those
who maintain the websites should do more to stay on top of
such problems. She says sectors such as the building industry
have standards which people have to measure up to, but nothing
similar exists in the computing sector and she believes that
needs to change. Ms Hannah is staggered some companies fail to
carry out basic back-ups and do not have adequate security
systems in place. Ms Hannah devised the lingerie site
JenniferAnne.com. The Waikato town of Pokeno adopted the
website's name in a stunt aimed to promote both enterprises.
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